Insurance law inspired by NH woman’s cancer battle takes effect Friday

Law inspired by NH woman fight takes effect

CONCORD, N.H. — A law inspired by a New Hampshire woman’s determination to stay in school while fighting cancer is now in effect across the country.

Michelle’s Law is named for Michelle Morse, who attended college full-time in order to keep her insurance before she died of colon cancer in 2005.

The federal law allows college students to take up to a year off school for medical reasons and remain on their family’s health insurance plan. It was sponsored by Rep. Paul Hodes, who joined Morse’s mother at a news conference Friday, the day the law took effect.

AnnMarie Morse, who pushed hard for state and federal legislation after her daughter’s death, called it a bittersweet day and said she will continue to fight for health care reform so Michelle’s legacy will live on.